MEMBERSHIP MATTERS (Issue 23)

Grant Phillips—CMPA Chairperson

Briony Rowley, CMPA Administration Officer

Grant Phillips, CMPA Chairperson and Director of Castella and Yarra Valley Quarries, has supported the Association since its inception in 2000.

Grant has been a Member of the Management Committee since the CMPA was formed, and has dedicated himself to the position of Chairperson since his election in 2003.

With a family history involved in earthmoving, Grant started out as a fully qualified horticulturist before moving into the Extractive Industry approximately 13 years ago. Grant took a punt and bought a quarry which had been condemned by the DPI, which has led him to the successful position he is in today.

Since then Grant has completed his Quarry Manager’s Certificate through Box Hill TAFE and is now the Director of two Victorian quarries being Yarra Valley Quarries in Woori Yallock and Castella Quarries in Yarra Glen.

Grant feels “the most rewarding aspects of working within the Extractive Industry include the challenges it creates.” Grant enjoys his role in a business which is responsible for winning material and converting it into a user friendly product.

Grant values the stability and security of an industry that provides constant challenges throughout general operations. “No two days are ever the same.” This variability can also be a disadvantage in the constant changes in methodology and safety issues.

Keeping abreast of changes in OHS and compliance are major issues faced by the industry. “It is very well to be compliant, however it is remaining compliant that is the true challenge.”

Grant feels the major issues faced by the industry include Silicosis and also that the cost of becoming compliant hasn’t been readily accepted by the industry. Grant believes the pressure of WorkCover representatives on site could be a significant issue of the future.

Grant comments “that his drive and commitment towards the CMPA are derived from a desire to see improvement in the industry of tomorrow. Involvement within the CMPA provides Members with the joy of getting outcomes that are relevant from internally with each individual business to industry wide.”

On behalf of all Members of the CMPA we would like to extend our sincere appreciation towards Grant Phillips, in his second year as Chairperson, for his ongoing support and dedication towards the CMPA. Without his constant guidance and assistance the CMPA would not be in the successful position it is in today.

Chairperson’s Speech—Annual Dinner 2005

Grant Phillips

Good evening ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the 5th Annual General Meeting and Dinner. I would like to extend a warm welcome and a thank you to:

• The Honourable Mr Peter Hall, MLC and Member for Gippsland Province
• Also to Mr John Mitas, Manager Minerals & Extractive Operations, for his continued support and ongoing friendly relationship with the CMPA
• And our guest speaker, Mr Dale Elphinstone, for his excellent presentation tonight.

We, the CMPA, represent the extractive industry in Victoria at every level, directly representing you, the Members.

The Association’s mission is to lead the industry in a manner that fosters excellence and integrity, and actively advances the interests of its Members, developing environmental approval standards, quality assurance training and promoting the industry to the community and the Government.

The CMPA has developed to a level where the Association is now invited to for consultation with various industry and Government bodies as shown by 17 submissions that have been forwarded this year.

We have worked with the Government since 2000 to develop and introduce acceptable standards for all areas within the quarrying industry. The CMPA also supports training activities to keep quarry managers and directors in the forefront of emerging best management practices, which includes training workshops and seminars aimed at providing education to industry participants which focuses on all issues confronting the industry state-wide.

Before closing tonight, I would like to introduce these people to you and ask that they stand when called:

Mr Alan Wilkins
Mr Basil Natoli
Mr David Eldridge
Mrs Mary Thompson
Mrs Bobbie Symons
Mr Tim Bird
Mr Andrew Lambing
Mr Bruce McClure
Mr Raymond Walsh
Mr Ron Kerr, Honorary CEO

Ladies and gentlemen please extend your appreciation for the Management Committee whose untiring commitment and endless hours has put the CMPA to the forefront of our industry today. Thank you ladies and gentlemen.

Member Support of the CMPA

Over the last few months, the Secretariat has been informed of a number of new places where the CMPA’s logo has popped up and we thank the Members concerned for their efforts in ensuring the logo is seen about the place. The most recent locations include within the Australian Scout Magazine and on at least two Member’s business cards. If you can better this, please let us know!

One direct result has been a number of people after earth resources who have called the CMPA and noted that they called simply because they saw our logo published somewhere else.

ICE—In Case of Emergency

A campaign encouraging people to enter an emergency contact number in their mobile phone’s memory under the heading ICE (In Case of Emergency), has rapidly spread throughout the world as a particular consequence of the terrorist attacks in London.

Originally established as a nation-wide campaign in the UK, ICE allows paramedics or police to be able to contact a designated relative/next-of-kin in an emergency situation.

The idea came from an East Anglican Ambulance Service paramedic who says: “I was reflecting on some of the calls I’ve attended at the roadside where I had to look through the mobile phone contracts struggling for information on a shocked or injured person. Almost everyone carries a mobile phone now, and with ICE we’d know immediately who to contact and what number to ring. The person may even know of their medical history.”

By adopting the ICE advice, your mobile will help the rescue services quickly contact a friend or relative—which could be vital in a life or death situation. It only takes a few seconds to do—why not put ICE in your phone now?

Brain Teaser

A frog goes into a bank and approaches the teller. He can see from her nameplate that her name is Patricia Whack. “Miss Whack, I’d like to get a $30,000 loan to take a holiday.” Patty looks at the frog in disbelief and asks his name. The frog says his name is Kermit Jagger, his dad is Mick Jagger, and that it’s okay, he knows the bank manager.

Patty explains that he will need to secure the loan with some collateral. The frog says, “Sure, I have this,” and produces a tiny porcelain elephant, about an inch tall, bright pink and perfectly formed.

Very confused, Patty explains that she’ll have to consult with the bank manager and disappears into the back office. She finds the manager and says, “There is a frog called Kermit Jagger out there who claims to know you and wants to borrow $30,000 and use this as collateral.” She holds up the tiny pink elephant. “I mean, what in the world is this?”

See bottom of page for answer.

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FOR SALE:
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Two types of stone available: white to off white, white with reddy ironstone inclusions, other variations with depth.
Please contact CMPA for details.

State of Play

WESTERN REGION:
I recently observed the underside of a CRB built bridge as a new concrete deck was being poured. The leaking moisture from the concrete showed considerable cracking in the support beams of the bridge which is on a minor road that carries significant heavy traffic. The damage to the 43 year old bridge was obviously due to heavy trucks with more recent than ancient histories, and caused its closure. At least 3 other bridges on major highways nearby have previously been re-decked, presumably for the same reason. An impression of the damage to the beams gives a quick insight to the damage the same vehicles are doing to roads and highways, which is quite daunting. It seems that the majority do not know about it and of those that do, are not being heard; without upgrading our roads will also collapse.
PETER LANGLANDS

SOUTHERN REGION:
Most operators have experienced the typical winter slow down in operations. Road funding appears to be up on previous years but fuel prices will take a considerable amount out of state and local government funding.
DAVID ELDRIDGE

EASTERN REGION:
The Eastern region is starting to get a little busier, mainly due to the use of sealing aggregates. Otherwise the area is still relatively quiet with the weather making an impact on operations.
ROB MATTHEWS

NORTHERN REGION:
Business is ticking along ok with local shires using gravel. There is some bridge work in our area, and also up on the border at Albury where there is a bit of activity.
ROD NORTH

MELBOURNE REGION:
Business is slow at the moment due to the wet weather, with minor flooding causing a few problems. Work looks to improve later in the year with tenders being released for local road works.
LEIGH COOMBS (UNDERSTUDY)

CMPA Publications

The CMPA publications listing has been updated for the 2005-06 financial year, with costs being adjusted accordingly. Please note a number of new and updated publications available from the CMPA Secretariat:

• Mobile Plant Operators Pre Start & End Day Safety Checklist – This checklist has been updated and reprinted to further benefit the user and is now available in its fourth edition from the CMPA. The purpose of this checklist is to ensure that safety and maintenance checks are carried out on all equipment, the equipment is in a safe and acceptable order before commencing or finishing work, the equipment is monitored during operations, and that there is a record of inspection and a document path for initiating issues.
• Hot Work Permit – This recently produced publication is a first off for the CMPA. The Hot Work Permit is in the same format as the Safety Checklist. The purpose of this publication is to ensure that all necessary precautions are put in place before any hot work is carried out in order to prevent any associated hazards including uncontrolled fire, explosion, radiation, burns and toxic fumes.
• Site Manager’s Report Book – After a number of enquiries at the CMPA regarding the availability of a Site Manager’s Report Book for every day use, the CMPA has developed such a publication for its Members. This publication, also recently printed, is now available from the Secretariat.

Brain Teaser Solution

The bank manager looks back at her and says: “It’s a knick-knack, Patty Whack. Give the frog a loan. His old man’s a Rolling Stone!”

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